No one thinks about what goes into a work of art. I’m not talking about some high-minded “the artist’s soul is put into his or her work. A soul stripped bare for the world to see!” type of thing. (I’m sure there’s a big-name gallery owner in New York who’s uttered something similar in a burst of artsy passion. You have to love the art world. They’re so authentically over the top).

No, I’m talking more nuts and bolts; I’m speaking of the actual materials or supplies that went into making the work of art. Brushes, paints, canvases – the absolute necessities. The type of things so essential they almost become invisible.

So today, let’s shine a light on such places that allow the artists to have access to the tools necessary to accomplish their artistic goal – the art supply stores in Buffalo Niagara!

I find that art is a spontaneous thing. Sure some sit at a drafting table for two months trying to capture the curvature of an apple perfectly, but those are more of the prepared type of artist that has his or her prep work done well in advance to make sure they’re ready whenever the mood strikes them. No, I’m referring to the type of people that only get what they need when the mood strikes them. I’m not saying this method leads to real or better art or some such absurdity because art is art (and I thought we already established that high end snobbery is reserved for big-name art gallery owners in New York). That’s the type of artwork that I tend to gravitate toward as well as the kind I make when the mood hits me out of the blue.

I would never say I’m an artist (my art teacher in High School even told me verbatim, “you work hard, but you’re not very good at this art stuff.” True story, I think I still have some tears left over if you want some proof). However, when that rare occasion hits me, I have my inner Van Gogh screaming inside me to draw water color stick figures in the park. (I know he wouldn’t be impressed by my talent level, but I’m pretty sure he’d appreciate my gumption because I guarantee no one else is drawing-watercolor stick figures in the park no matter what day it is).

In instances like those, I like to go to Hyatt’s All Things Creative. It’s conveniently located, yet beyond that, I appreciate the mission statement of the place.

Hyatt’s All Things Creative, it’s right in the title. This place tries to cover all the bases and damn if they don’t do a good job. We are talking supplies that go way beyond canvases and watercolors here. (Although they certainly have those too). You want to make a sign. They got what you need to make your creation pop! Do you want to do some graffiti street art (of the legally sanctioned variety, of course)? They got what you need. After you leave the store, you’ll be able to put Rembrandt from The Warriors to shame. They even have pieces of graffiti in the store with motivational slogans like “learn” and “you can do it” (which might seem a bit corny to some, but I find it endearing, plus I have a graffiti tattoo, so I’m a bit bias).

Hyatt’s All Things Creative is like the Home Depot of art supply stores (minus the smell of fresh sawed wood). The store setup makes you feel like the creative possibilities you have at your disposal are limitless. I can go and ask an employee where the spray paint is or the really good superglue, and they either point me in the right direction or give it to me. This may seem commonplace, they’re just doing their job after all, but have you seen this place? It’s well organized, but it’s a maze to the uninitiated.

Or, in my case, the perpetually uninitiated. So I ask for supplies every time I go to Hyatt’s All Things Creative, which saves me the hassle so I can focus on whatever tickles my fancy.

It’s a great place to experiment as well. Say I want to get into printing art, flyers, maybe the occasional T-shirt. That type of thing. I go over there, and they have everything I need to make my flyers for my imaginary rave incredible. The place takes all the hassle out of the prep work part of the creative process. I could see this as not being all that interesting to those who like to play starving artist (because some pretend just for the clout, go home and change your shirt your mom has dinner ready).

But for those who like their art supply stores in Buffalo Niagara to have products readily available so they can tackle what they want whenever they want, this place is nothing but a priceless resource that everyone should take advantage of, even if they only ever had a passing interest in art. There’s too much available for even the most uninterested to find something as well.

I guarantee if you walk in there with just a spark of interest, you’ll leave that place with the spark properly fanned and in the position to become a great flame one day.